Sodium cyclamate (Chemical name is Sodium cyclohexylaminosulfonate), as a sweetener, is allowed to be used in food in China, but it is forbidden to be added to food in the United States, Japan and South Korea. Japanese and Korean officials have also repeatedly reported that China's exports of Japanese and Korean food were found to be unsatisfactory due to the detection of cyclamate in imports. So why do Japan and Korea prohibit the use of cyclamate?
1. Beginning of Use
In 1937, graduate students at the University of Illinois in the United States found that cyclamate produces greater sweetness. The use of cyclamate began in the early 1950s. The sweetness of cyclamate is about 30-40 times that of granulated sugar, and it can be used in various foods. In the 1960s, cyclamate swept the world sweetener market.
In 1956, Japan designated cyclamate as a food additive. Compared with granulated sugar, cyclamate is more economical and easier to process, so it is used in snacks, instant juices, canned fruits and other foods in Japan.
2. Turning Point
In 1968, the United States pointed out that cyclamate may cause cancer. There is an international debate that cyclamate is a carcinogen and may lead to male infertility.
In 1969, following the US ban on the use of cyclamate, the Japanese government also abolished the designation of cyclamate and prohibited the use of cyclamate. Since the 1970s, the use of cyclamate has been banned in Korea.
3、Safety
In 1982, the Joint Committee of Experts on Food Additives under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization assessed the safety of cyclamate and set its ADI at 11 mg/kg/day. The organization believes that cyclamate is a safe food additive and will not harm health as long as it does not exceed the standard value.
At present, China, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and more than 80 countries allow the addition of cyclamate in food.
4、Current Situation of Use in Japan and Korea
At present, the use of cyclamate is still prohibited in Japan. In addition, no enterprise has applied for the use of cyclamate as an additive, which is also one of the reasons why the use of cyclamate is prohibited in Japan. Sugar is not a precious commodity. Artificial sweeteners are also abundant and can be added to food instead of cyclamate.
Relevant personnel of Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said: "Although there are no health hazards related to cyclamate, according to the current regulations, the use of cyclamate is still prohibited in Korea."
In terms of the use of cyclamate, due to the differences between Japan , South Korea and China in terms of regulations and standards, if the cyclamate is detected in food transported to Japan and South Korea, it will be returned and destroyed. We here remind food exporters, before exporting your products to Japan and Korea, you should confirm whether you conform to the standards and regulations of Japan and Korea, so as to avoid unnecessary trade losses.
